Transport and General Workers Union leader Sir Bill Morris has said that British workers need employment protection legislation fit for the 21st Century.

In his speech on the first day of the TUC annual congress in Brighton, Sir Bill accused Government ministers of “sitting on their hands” while union members “perish in the dole queues”.

Sir Bill said: “It is clear that labour laws and workers rights were not working. The current laws have failed to protect workers and must be changed.”

He said: “I give clear notice: the T&G will take its members' case to the heart of the political process and will continue doing so until we get justice for our members because justice for them will be justice for every single worker in this land. That is a duty we owe and will deliver.”

He also called for changes in the company insolvency laws, particularly a loophole that allows unscrupulous businessmen to go into voluntarily liquidation, sacking workers and then restarting their companies without having to pay the workers.

Concluding, Sir Bill said: “We cannot rest until we all deliver for all workers fundamental workers' rights.”

CBI chairman Digby Jones is to address the Congress later this week and Sir Bill appealed for his comments to be listened to in "polite silence".

(SP)